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Introduction
Cambodia, also known as the "Land of Angkor", boasts a
brilliant, millennia-old culture much influenced by Indian cultural and
religious practices. A thousand years ago, the capital at Angkor was among the
largest and finest cities in the world. Today's population amounts to about 11
millions of whom, about one million live in the modern capital, Phnom Penh.
According to an old legend, a pious woman who had an omen from heaven founded
this city on the junction of three rivers, the Mekong, the Bassac and the Tonle
Sap in 1372. "Phnom" is the Khmer word for "hill" and Penh was the lady's name.
Cambodia is at last emerging from several decades of political and social
upheaval. The long-running insurgency by the Khmer Rouge was finally consigned
to history in 1998 and the country is now more stable than at any time since
the "golden age" of the 1960's.
Location and Size
Cambodia occupies a territory of 181,035 sq. km in the southeast
of the Indochinese Peninsula bordered by Vietnam, Thailand and Laos.
Climate
Cambodia can be visited throughout the year. The most pleasant
season is the dry season from November to February during which temperatures
are cooler. Note also that Siem Reap in general is cooler than Phnom Penh. The
hot season lasts from March to May and cotton clothing and hats are
recommended. The rainy season lasts from June to October.
Currency
The official currency in Cambodia is the RIEL. The most common
denominations are 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 notes. But
there is no need to change money as the U.S. dollars can be used freely almost
everywhere. Travellers are advised to use smaller denominations, as change may
be difficult to obtain. The exchange rate ranges between 3,700 and 4,000 Riels
to the U.S. dollar. Some care should be taken with old or damaged U.S. notes,
as they may be difficult to exchange.
Credit cards are becoming more popular, especially at the major
hotels, but outside Phnom Penh and Siem Reap they are still quite rare. It is
possible to get cash advances on your Visa or Master Card at certain banks.
There is a 2-4% commission charge. Automatic Teller Machines exists in Cambodia
at Canadia Bank.
Traveller cheques can be exchanged at some banks in Phnom Penh
and Siem Reap.
Land Border
Crossing
Currently it is possible to enter Cambodia by road from Vietnam
and Thailand. The land border to/from Laos is not yet officially open for
foreigners.
To travel the 260 kms from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh will take around 6-8
hours.
Road entry from Thailand (Aranyaprathet / Poipet) is also possible but road
conditions are quite better.
By Boat
There are daily fast-boat connections from Thailand to Koh Kong
and then to Sihanoukville. Just as for some road travel, boat travel should be
considered only by the more adventurous traveller.
There is a boat connection between Vietnam and Phnom Penh on 2 express boats
run by the Victoria Hotel chain in Vietnam. They leave from Chau Doc and reach
Phnom Penh (or vice versa) in approximately 4 hours including immigration
procedures. Visas for Vietnam and Cambodia must be obtained in advance and may
not be available at this border crossing at the moment.
Best Time to
Visit
Being a tropical country, Cambodia is bathed in sunshine almost
all year and has a medium to high average temperature. There are two distinct
seasons, the dry season and the monsoon rains. The monsoon period lasts from
May to October with south-westerly winds ushering in clouds that bring seventy
five to eighty percent of the annual rainfall, often in spectacular intense
bursts for an hour at a time illuminating the night sky with brilliant
lightning displays. The dry season extends from November to April with average
temperatures ranging from 27 to 35 degrees Celsius. The coolest and most
comfortable climate is from November to February.
Social Customs
The family structure is very strong in Cambodia and most people
are very polite and well mannered. There is a genuine interest in all things
that are foreign and most people have not yet progressed to the "greed" stage.
Most of the old Asian social customs apply in Cambodia:
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avoid touching people on the head
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avoid pointing your feet at a person
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females should probably wear clothing which covers more rather
than less of the body, especially when eating.
It does not pay to show anger when conversing with the locals,
especially on the streets. Although moto-taxi drivers and beggars can be
annoying at times, they leave if ignored.
ETHNIC GROUPS:
After the Khmer the largest ethnic group is the Chinese who
dominate the business community. In addition there are considerable numbers of
Vietnamese and a mostly Muslim Cham minority. In the highlands and rural areas
tribal groups also live in limited numbers.
Religion
Cambodia reinstated Buddhism as the state religion in the late
1980's and the country is now around 90% Buddhist despite the religion being
targeted by the Khmer Rouge and suffering serious losses during the seventies.
Language
The Khmer language is unique and distinctive. To the Western
eye, the characters are very much like those of Thai, but a close look reveals
they are in fact quite different. Many older Cambodians speak French, which up
to 1975 was the principal language used in the education system but English is
the language of choice for young generation.
Entertainment
Theatre and dance are central to the Khmer culture. Most famous
is the Royal Ballet, which is depicted numerous times on the bas-reliefs on
Angkor Wat. Representing the Apsara (celestial female dancers) the dances
involve symbolic, slow, graceful gestures, which conform to a strict and
precise language of movement. Each dance is an act of worship and blessing.
Most of the dancers are women. Traditional Khmer dancing can be seen at the
National Theatre. In addition, the theatre has produced a contemporary history
called the life of the Nation of Cambodia.
Eating Out
Khmer food is typically moderately spicy with a high proportion
of fish, either fresh water from the Tonle Sap Lake or seafood from the
southern fresh coast. As a result of the large numbers of UN personal who were
posted in Cambodia in the early 1990's, Phnom Penh's restaurants offer a wide
selection of Italian, French, Indian, Thai and Chinese cuisine. Outside of
Phnom Penh the selection of food and restaurants is more limited, but are
likely to have Khmer, Thai and some kind of western food available.
The incidence of stomach upsets here is lower than in many other
Asian countries, perhaps because the food is always fresh.
The markets do not use refrigeration and therefore they will
sell all their products the same day. The fresh food distribution network
within Cambodia is very fast and fresh food is trucked in very early in the
morning to arrive at the markets.
It is not recommended to drink the tap water, as it is not safe.
There are many brands of mineral water on sale throughout Cambodia like Coca
Cola and tonic/soda etc. are widely available.
Tipping
Tipping of guides and drivers is very much a personal matter but
if you are pleased with their services, an amount of around USD 5,00 per person
per day for a guide and half that amount for a driver is suggested as a guide.
Hotel porters should be tipped around USD 0,50 per bag. Waiters appreciate tips
of around 10% in the better restaurants, unless a service charge has already
been added. Taxis are not metered so the fare has to be negotiated before
travel; additional tipping is not expected.
Shopping Hour
There are no set shopping hours but shops are open seven days a
week from 8:00 AM to 7:30 PM with most shops in the central tourist areas
remaining open until 2100 hours. There is normally a one to two hour lunch
break between 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM.
What to Buy
Cambodia is widely recognised as having some of the most
beautiful religious carvings and bas-reliefs anywhere in the world. Of course,
most are of a religious nature, used for celebrating the Khmer, Buddhist and
Hindu culture. Unfortunately the country's recent turmoil has allowed
widespread looting of some classic pieces, most commonly large sculptures from
the Angkorian era. For those wishing to take home such figures, excellent
quality replicas are now available in both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
In addition to stone carving, Cambodia has excellent silverware
of both classical Khmer and Chinese design, which can be bought in the main
markets of Phnom Penh.
More than any other items, the krama is quintessentially
Cambodian. These are large rectangular scarves made from cotton or silk, and
are most commonly found in red or blue check. Their uses are endless but
include headdress, skirts, aprons and carrying aids.
Visitors can also find silver items, jewellery, gems,
woodcarving, paper mach, bronze figurines and oil paintings in the different
markets and shops on main avenues. The export of antiques is subject to
approval of the Ministry of Culture.
Health Tips
Consult your doctor before travelling in Cambodia. Visitors
should consider appropriate medication against malaria if travelling outside
Phnom Penh. Clients are advised to take out travel insurance before they leave
home which should also include emergency evacuation. Cambodian hospitals are
not renowned for their cleanliness although the doctors are professional even
if their equipment and procedures are a little outdated. Over the counter
prescription drugs are widely available in major cities.
There are many private clinics whose Western-trained doctors offer acceptable
medical care, as well as a Western-trained dentist. There are two pharmacies,
which provide a range of authentic U.S. and European products. Evacuation
insurance is advisable, and may be obtained through S.O.S. clinic.
Personal
Security
As in all big cities, it is important to maintain a degree of
security awareness in Phnom Penh, especially after dark. If in doubt, check the
current security situation with your guide. Visitors are therefore advised to
carry only small amounts of cash on their person in fastened pockets or
handbags. All hotels have safety deposit facilities.
Visa
Cambodia tourist visas are obtainable upon arrival at Pochentong
International Airport (Phnom Penh), at Siem Reap International Airport. as well
as at the land borders between Thailand and Cambodia at Poipet. The application
procedure is very simple and takes approximately five to ten minutes to
complete. One passport photograph is required (important to have it with you!)
and a one-month visa costs $20. Similarly, an extendible business visa is also
available upon arrival and costs $25. At the border in Poipet entering from
Thailand, the visa fee is often charged at 1000 Thai Baht.
Arrival and departure cards and customs declarations forms,
usually issued on the aircraft, must be completed on arrival and kept until
departure.
Custom
Regulation
Most foreign brands of alcoholic beverages and cigarettes are
readily available in Cambodia. 200 cigarettes and 1 litre of wine/spirits may
be brought into the country. Customs documentation on arrival is no longer
lengthy. All baggage is liable to be X-rayed both on arrival and departure.
Visitors may bring in any amount of foreign currency with them but amounts over
USD 5,000 require declaration.
FLIGHT RECONFIRMATION:
All airlines flying to Cambodia have offices in Phnom Penh and
visitors are strongly advised to reconfirm their return flight.
Airport Tax
International airport taxes:
Departure from Phnom Penh USD 25.00 per person
Departure from Siem Reap USD 25.00 per person
Domestic airport taxes:
Departure from Phnom Penh USD 6.00 per person
Departure from Siem Reap USD 6.00 per person
Please check with our local agent for any amendments to the
above.
Departure
Departure formalities are less time consuming than on arrival,
but it is advisable to arrive at the airport at least ninety minutes before
scheduled departure to ensure seat reservations and to allow sufficient time
for delays at immigration and customs.
Business Travel
Business Customs: although not absolutely required, small gifts
with a company logo is appreciated, as are luncheon or dinner invitations.
Travel advisory: Travel within cities and provincial towns are safe, and
business travelers need take only normal personal security precautions. All
provincial capitals and some other cities can be reached by air, although a
charter flight is required to reach Mondulkiri and Stung Treng, and private
cars are available for rental in most cities upon arrival. The safety of road
travel outside urban areas varies and potential risks can be reduced by
traveling during daylight hours, particularly around 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
Holiday
Cambodia celebrates 25 official holidays for year 2007 (dates
may vary for certain holidays)
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January 1 International New Year
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Jan 07, Victory Day Over Genocide
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Feb 02, Meak Bochea Festival
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Mar 08, International Women's Day
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Apr 14-16, Khmer New Year's Days
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May 01, International Labour Day
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May 01, Pisak Bochea (Buddha's Day)
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May 05, Ploughing Ceremony
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May 13-15, King's Birthday, Norodom Sihamoni
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Jun 18, King's Mother Birthday, Norodom Monineath Sihanouk
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Sep 24, Constitutional & Re-coronation Day
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Oct 10-12, Pchum Ben Day (Traditional)
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Oct 29, King's Coronation Day, Norodom Sihamoni
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Oct 31 King's Father Birthday, Norodom Sihanouk
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Nov 09, National Independence Day
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Nov 23-25, Water & Boat Racing Festival
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Dec 10, Human Rights' Day
The public holidays listed above is referred to the Cambodian Royal Government's sub-degree Nº 21, signed on October 27, 2006 by Prime Minister HUN SEN, stated about holidays for government's and private company's officers.
Any public holidays which overlap with either Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday will be substituted.
Business
Infrastructure
There are a number of shipping agents operating in Phnom Penh
and Sihanoukville who can handle airfreight, sea freight and overland shipping.
Although currently roads to even major cities may be in ill repair, the
national highway system is being restored with the assistance of bilateral and
multilateral donors. The Khmer language is spoken most widely, but English,
French and Chinese are also frequently used. Business travelers who speak only
English may occasionally need to hire an interpreter.
Telephone, fax, telegram as well as e-mail and Internet services
are available. Telephone service may be unreliable. The cost of a call to the
United States is approximately $5 per minute. Hotel accommodations range in
price from $5 per night at guesthouses to $170 at the Hotel Le Royal.
Reservations are necessary during high season and at all time in superior
hotels.
Electrical power generation can be inadequate, and many
companies established here have their own generators to assure adequate power.
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